Thursday, July 19, 2007
summer fun
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Happy Birthday Lugga!
Love, the killsht and the peanut
Thursday, July 12, 2007
This week in mommyland...
It's funny how when things happen in my life now, my first thought is 'I have to put this on the blog.' The other thought I have (and only those of you who know Megan or are Megan will understand this) is that these are the kinds of things Megan would call and share with me happening in her life and I'd laugh histerically as I listened to the mishaps. Well, it seems Megan must be having a good week and I have taken on all of her craziness - love you Megan!
Well, it all started Monday morning when Avawoke up with a patch of red skin on the back of her neck that she was scratching incessantly. I kept looking at it, but couldn't tell what it was or where it had come from. Within a couple of hours her neck and shoulders were covered in little red bumps and within several more hours her legs were covered as well. So, I called the doctor and left a message with his nurse. What can I put on it? Do I need to bring her in? How do I relieve her from the scratching? A couple of hours later the nurse called and said the pediatrician was prescribing cortizone cream. Greg put her to bed and I went to pick up the prescription and called grammy to assure her that Ava was fine. To help assure me (as only a mother could) she reminded me of the story I've heard a million times about when I had an allergic reaction when I was a baby. My mom and dad put me to bed and when we woke up the next morning my mom found me with my eyes swollen shut and my body swollen and purple. Ahhhhhh... now I felt better. When I got home she was asleep, but awoke 3 hours later wide awake and scratching. I brought her downstairs and tried to distract her from the itching and finally got her back to sleep (with me in the guest bedroom so daddy could sleep) 2 hours later.
I was relieved to see she awoke with less bumps and eyes wide open. However, 2 hours later she had bumps all over her chest and back. Again, I called the doctor and went to see him that day. He checked her over and recommended to continue the cortizone and if it got too bad he recommended children's benedryl. Again that night Greg and I put her to bed but didn't put on the cream or give her benedryl as she had less bumps and was no longer scratching. HUGE mistake! Again, at 11:30 she was wide awake and this time hysterical. At 1:30am in the morning Greg and I were at the end of our rope as I slathered on the cortizone and he headed to the 24 hour pharmacy. I rocked and rocked her as she tried to catch her breath between sobbs and prayed he would be back quickly. I waited and waited and waited... where was he? Suddenly I had a terrible thought - what if he doesn't come back? What if he's had enough and can't take our craziness anymore? Lord knows I'm not a perfect wife and this screaming child (two nights in a row) would make anyone run. I know at sounds crazy, but at 2:00 in the morning and as tired as I was it seemed the only logical explanation as to why he had not yet returned. Truth was, he was probably only gone 25 minutes, but rocking in that chair with my crying child I felt like I had been there for hours. And then she stopped crying and went completely still. She was absolutely exhausted and didn't move a muscle as I layed her down in her crib, took a deep breath and headed to my bed. Greg returned 5 minutes later and I ran down the stairs anticipating his explanation... the pharmacy wasn't open 24 hours, so he had to detour to Walmart. He just laughed at me as I recounted my panic attack and assured me he's not going anywhere. We went to bed (didn't even give her the benedryl) and he was up 3 hours later going to work. What a guy...
Okay, so to top off our week we have last night. The rash had somewhat subsided, but mommy and daddy had already decided that we were going to give her the benedryl... we all needed a good nights sleep. Last night was bath night, but in the middle of the bath I realized I didn't have a towel. Greg was downstairs working in the garage, so I couldn't call him to help me and I wasn't going to leave the bathroom because we've all seen that horrific commercial where the parents leave the baby in the bath tub (for just a second) and the voice over says "a child can drown in only 2 inches of water." If you don't remember it - let me assure you it's terrifying. So, I grabbed the hand towel hanging on the rack above me, pulled her out of the tub and headed to her bedroom to get her ready for bed. Within two seconds of leaving the warmth of the bathroom and walking into her room I felt my side get incredible hot... and wet. Oh yes, she had peed all over me and herself. nice. I screamed for Greg to come help me and those of you who know Greg know that he is not always quick to respond - ha! After several calls to him from the top of the stairs my groggy husband, who had fallen asleep on the couch, came to the bottom of the stairs.
"huh?"
"She peed on me and I smell - get up here!!"
He took over and I cleaned up and we gave her the benedryl and put her to bed. However, we didn't get to bed early. Why? We were digging through our garbage looking for our car registration stickers. Yes, you heard me right, digging through our garbage! Two weeks ago they had come in the mail and had been sitting on the island in our kitchen day after day. Yesterday, Greg realized that they were no longer there, so we started looking. At midnight I had finished digging through our last junk drawer, exhausted, and realized I didn't know where Greg had gone. I looked all over and found him in the garage... digging through the garbage. I know it's our garbage, but disgusting nonetheless. You will all be relieved to hear that is exactly where he found them. My understanding husband laughed at me as I looked at the pile of mail he found them shuffled in with and had to admit I was the one who had thrown them away. Despite my emphatic statement when we started looking, "I know I didn't throw them away!"
So, there you have it and it's only Thursday.
Well, it all started Monday morning when Avawoke up with a patch of red skin on the back of her neck that she was scratching incessantly. I kept looking at it, but couldn't tell what it was or where it had come from. Within a couple of hours her neck and shoulders were covered in little red bumps and within several more hours her legs were covered as well. So, I called the doctor and left a message with his nurse. What can I put on it? Do I need to bring her in? How do I relieve her from the scratching? A couple of hours later the nurse called and said the pediatrician was prescribing cortizone cream. Greg put her to bed and I went to pick up the prescription and called grammy to assure her that Ava was fine. To help assure me (as only a mother could) she reminded me of the story I've heard a million times about when I had an allergic reaction when I was a baby. My mom and dad put me to bed and when we woke up the next morning my mom found me with my eyes swollen shut and my body swollen and purple. Ahhhhhh... now I felt better. When I got home she was asleep, but awoke 3 hours later wide awake and scratching. I brought her downstairs and tried to distract her from the itching and finally got her back to sleep (with me in the guest bedroom so daddy could sleep) 2 hours later.
I was relieved to see she awoke with less bumps and eyes wide open. However, 2 hours later she had bumps all over her chest and back. Again, I called the doctor and went to see him that day. He checked her over and recommended to continue the cortizone and if it got too bad he recommended children's benedryl. Again that night Greg and I put her to bed but didn't put on the cream or give her benedryl as she had less bumps and was no longer scratching. HUGE mistake! Again, at 11:30 she was wide awake and this time hysterical. At 1:30am in the morning Greg and I were at the end of our rope as I slathered on the cortizone and he headed to the 24 hour pharmacy. I rocked and rocked her as she tried to catch her breath between sobbs and prayed he would be back quickly. I waited and waited and waited... where was he? Suddenly I had a terrible thought - what if he doesn't come back? What if he's had enough and can't take our craziness anymore? Lord knows I'm not a perfect wife and this screaming child (two nights in a row) would make anyone run. I know at sounds crazy, but at 2:00 in the morning and as tired as I was it seemed the only logical explanation as to why he had not yet returned. Truth was, he was probably only gone 25 minutes, but rocking in that chair with my crying child I felt like I had been there for hours. And then she stopped crying and went completely still. She was absolutely exhausted and didn't move a muscle as I layed her down in her crib, took a deep breath and headed to my bed. Greg returned 5 minutes later and I ran down the stairs anticipating his explanation... the pharmacy wasn't open 24 hours, so he had to detour to Walmart. He just laughed at me as I recounted my panic attack and assured me he's not going anywhere. We went to bed (didn't even give her the benedryl) and he was up 3 hours later going to work. What a guy...
Okay, so to top off our week we have last night. The rash had somewhat subsided, but mommy and daddy had already decided that we were going to give her the benedryl... we all needed a good nights sleep. Last night was bath night, but in the middle of the bath I realized I didn't have a towel. Greg was downstairs working in the garage, so I couldn't call him to help me and I wasn't going to leave the bathroom because we've all seen that horrific commercial where the parents leave the baby in the bath tub (for just a second) and the voice over says "a child can drown in only 2 inches of water." If you don't remember it - let me assure you it's terrifying. So, I grabbed the hand towel hanging on the rack above me, pulled her out of the tub and headed to her bedroom to get her ready for bed. Within two seconds of leaving the warmth of the bathroom and walking into her room I felt my side get incredible hot... and wet. Oh yes, she had peed all over me and herself. nice. I screamed for Greg to come help me and those of you who know Greg know that he is not always quick to respond - ha! After several calls to him from the top of the stairs my groggy husband, who had fallen asleep on the couch, came to the bottom of the stairs.
"huh?"
"She peed on me and I smell - get up here!!"
He took over and I cleaned up and we gave her the benedryl and put her to bed. However, we didn't get to bed early. Why? We were digging through our garbage looking for our car registration stickers. Yes, you heard me right, digging through our garbage! Two weeks ago they had come in the mail and had been sitting on the island in our kitchen day after day. Yesterday, Greg realized that they were no longer there, so we started looking. At midnight I had finished digging through our last junk drawer, exhausted, and realized I didn't know where Greg had gone. I looked all over and found him in the garage... digging through the garbage. I know it's our garbage, but disgusting nonetheless. You will all be relieved to hear that is exactly where he found them. My understanding husband laughed at me as I looked at the pile of mail he found them shuffled in with and had to admit I was the one who had thrown them away. Despite my emphatic statement when we started looking, "I know I didn't throw them away!"
So, there you have it and it's only Thursday.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
4th of July
playing in grandpa's landscaping
first corn on the cob
I caught this photo shortly after Stella lost her balance and rolled off of the cornhole board - accidentally knocking Ava on her butt. Sam thought the whole thing was pretty funny.
Stella (cracking herself up) , Sam (sitting on Stella) and Ava (adoring Sam)
It was quite the exciting 4th of July. Despite the huge thunderstorms and the power going out for a couple of hours the kids had a ball. Family get togethers are so much more fun with the kids running around. These are some of my favorite pics from the day - including the ones of Sam and Stella below.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Trip to Nashville - Sari and Owen
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Cauliflower and Cheerios & French Fries Dipped in Applesauce
Ahhhhhh yes - food experimentation has begun. Two days ago I watched as she plunked her pile of cheerios right into the middle of her bowl of cauliflower trees and began eating by the handfuls without batting an eyelash. Then today she wanted to dip her french fries in the applesauce just like mommy was dipping hers in ketchup. Apparently she will not grow up to be a chef.... or maybe she will.
Along with her varying food choices, she has developed what we call a bit of an opinion. For those of you who know me well, I know it will be shocking to hear my daughter is opinionated... what can I say? Feisty? Independant? Call it what you want. My mom used to ask me, "but wouldn't you rather have child with a little spunk and independance, than a child who does whatever you say and relies on you for everything." I used to answer quickly - I definitely want the independant child. Notice I said 'used to.' After the past five days I may not answer so quickly. Ava has decided she knows what she wants and the word 'no' brings about a dramatic episode beginning with some weepy eyes and loud sobs and finishes with a slow motion throwing of her body to the ground. And when she's really upset she throws her head onto my lap as if to say 'why are you doing this to me mommy?' I find myself wondering how she is possibly at this point already. She's only a 13 months old. 13 months!
Consistent. Be consistent with your discipline. That's what all the parenting books and magazines and grandparents say. And before I had children I used to say it myself. That would be so much easier if she was consistent and if my emotions didn't get in the way. And I ask myself over and over 'is THIS something that is worth the battle?' Dropping things on the floor? Playing with the remotes and the cell phone? Climbing up the slide (with my help)? Picking the flowers? Playing in the dirt? Feeding herself the yogurt? Playing with the toilet paper roll? Opening and closing the cabinets? Every thing she does all day long I ask myself - Will this be a problem later? Will I have wish I never let her do this? If I don't let her do it am I not letting her experiment and play? Am I letting her manipulate me into doing this? Of course, there are some things that are just an absolute 'no', but she is already discovering there are grey areas.
Anyone out there with any advice - give it to me! It is no doubt going to be a busy and boundary testing summer and I need all the help I can get.
Along with her varying food choices, she has developed what we call a bit of an opinion. For those of you who know me well, I know it will be shocking to hear my daughter is opinionated... what can I say? Feisty? Independant? Call it what you want. My mom used to ask me, "but wouldn't you rather have child with a little spunk and independance, than a child who does whatever you say and relies on you for everything." I used to answer quickly - I definitely want the independant child. Notice I said 'used to.' After the past five days I may not answer so quickly. Ava has decided she knows what she wants and the word 'no' brings about a dramatic episode beginning with some weepy eyes and loud sobs and finishes with a slow motion throwing of her body to the ground. And when she's really upset she throws her head onto my lap as if to say 'why are you doing this to me mommy?' I find myself wondering how she is possibly at this point already. She's only a 13 months old. 13 months!
Consistent. Be consistent with your discipline. That's what all the parenting books and magazines and grandparents say. And before I had children I used to say it myself. That would be so much easier if she was consistent and if my emotions didn't get in the way. And I ask myself over and over 'is THIS something that is worth the battle?' Dropping things on the floor? Playing with the remotes and the cell phone? Climbing up the slide (with my help)? Picking the flowers? Playing in the dirt? Feeding herself the yogurt? Playing with the toilet paper roll? Opening and closing the cabinets? Every thing she does all day long I ask myself - Will this be a problem later? Will I have wish I never let her do this? If I don't let her do it am I not letting her experiment and play? Am I letting her manipulate me into doing this? Of course, there are some things that are just an absolute 'no', but she is already discovering there are grey areas.
Anyone out there with any advice - give it to me! It is no doubt going to be a busy and boundary testing summer and I need all the help I can get.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Can I sit on the table too Narma?
Emme came over today and we made Father's Day cards. Emme calls me Narma because when she first started talking she couldn't say Marcia and now it has stuck. Now that summer is here, she comes to play with Ava on the mornings her mom works. Ava loves every minute of it! I, however, am totally exhausted by the time Tierny comes and I find myself wondering how stay at home mother's find a moment of peace. I suppose they don't. But tonight, when Ava snuggled in a big ball on my lap and laid her head on my chest and the rocking chair swayed back and forth, I realized too things... 1 - it's worth it and 2 - I've never felt so peaceful.
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Schools out for summer!
The words to this song have been floating through my head for 2 days now. I am officially done and though I'm so excited to have time to spend working on things at home and hanging out with Ava, I'm already feeling a little lonely.
In the past couple of months I've been thinking a lot about the fact that I have, since the day I was born and up until I married Greg, always lived with other women. And, being the social person that I am, this had worked very well for me. Women love to talk, share in conversation, and listen to other women's stories. But lately I have found a longing for that kind of closeness. Greg, wonderful man that he is, has to process every word that comes out of my mouth before he can formulate a response. For those of you that know how quickly I process and converse, you can imagine the frustration I feel when trying to communicate with him. I can only imagine the overwhelming feeling he must have in trying to sort through the thousands of thoughts that fly out of my mouth at any given moment.... and I appreciate his attempts. But, it isn't the same and I find myself missing those kinds of conversations. The ones women have that go on and on for hours and seem to have no lull, but continue seamlessly into the night.
There are three women with which I have had such conversations over and over again and my heart longs to see them. To sit on a porch in the summer night and talk about nothing and about everything all at once. The summers used to be filled with such nights and I find myself wondering lately why I don't have those friendships now. Is it because I'm older? Is it because I'm busier? Is it because the opportunity and time it takes to forge such a close friendship no longer exists for me? I don't know the answer, but it is the question of my heart right now.
I love you ladies - you know who you are and I miss you deeply.
In the past couple of months I've been thinking a lot about the fact that I have, since the day I was born and up until I married Greg, always lived with other women. And, being the social person that I am, this had worked very well for me. Women love to talk, share in conversation, and listen to other women's stories. But lately I have found a longing for that kind of closeness. Greg, wonderful man that he is, has to process every word that comes out of my mouth before he can formulate a response. For those of you that know how quickly I process and converse, you can imagine the frustration I feel when trying to communicate with him. I can only imagine the overwhelming feeling he must have in trying to sort through the thousands of thoughts that fly out of my mouth at any given moment.... and I appreciate his attempts. But, it isn't the same and I find myself missing those kinds of conversations. The ones women have that go on and on for hours and seem to have no lull, but continue seamlessly into the night.
There are three women with which I have had such conversations over and over again and my heart longs to see them. To sit on a porch in the summer night and talk about nothing and about everything all at once. The summers used to be filled with such nights and I find myself wondering lately why I don't have those friendships now. Is it because I'm older? Is it because I'm busier? Is it because the opportunity and time it takes to forge such a close friendship no longer exists for me? I don't know the answer, but it is the question of my heart right now.
I love you ladies - you know who you are and I miss you deeply.
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Helping Daddy with his new mower
Summer is here!
I am anxiously awaiting my last day of school - a week from today! My husband always makes fun of teachers not having real jobs because we get the summer off. I always tell him that it's either the summer off or life in prison because if teachers don't get a break - they may be forced to end the life of a child. All joking aside, it is time for a break! I am ready to hang out with the peanut for a few months, get some work done around the house, and relax and read a few good books. Although, now that Ava is on her feet, I'm guessing the only work I will be getting done is during naps. Luckily for me she usually takes 2 good long naps a day. The problem is that when she is resting I want to be resting too. Ahhhhhh... it's good to only have the small stresses of life. Life is good...
Friday, May 18, 2007
Happy 1st Birthday Ava Grace!
Mommy and Daddy love you and couldn't imagine our lives without you.
May God bless you with many more years as wonderful as this one.
Happy 1st Birthday!
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
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